Page 68 - 18-22 Sept 1, 2021

Behind Guitar

the Scenes Lesson

with the
Guitar for Bo

Rebbe TAR

E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E E HEIMISHE GUITAR
BY THE HEIMISHE GUITAR R R

CHILDREN AND MUSIC: BENEFITS OF MUSIC IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Although this topic was somewhat addressed recently. The constant feedback of astonishing improvement both academic and social we receive
from our very own students here in Monsey, all as a direct result of music lessons. merits some serious attention. Thus, we’re revisiting that topic.
The Brain Works Harder Being Musical
A study at the University of Toronto found an Music can improve your child’ abilities in learning and other
increase in the IQs of six-year-olds who were non-music tasks, but it’s important to understand that music
given weekly music lessons Research indicates does not make one smarter. As Dr. Rasmussen explains, the
the brain of a musician, even a young one, works many intrinsic benefits to music education include being
differently than that of a non-musician. “There’s disciplined, learning a skill, being part of the music world,
some good neuroscience research that children managing performance, being part of something you can
involved in music have larger growth of neural be proud of.
activity than people not in music training. When “It’s important not to oversell how smart music can make
you’re a musician and you’re playing an instru- you,” Rasmussen says. “Music makes your kid interesting
ment, you have to be using more of your brain,” and happy, and smart will come later. It enriches his or
says Dr. Eric Rasmussen, chair of the Early Child- her appetite for things that bring you pleasure and for the
hood Music Department at Johns Hopkins Uni- friends you meet.” While parents may hope that en-
versity. rolling their child in a music program will make
In fact, a study led by Beth Israel Medical Center her a better student, the primary reasons to
and Harvard Medical School, found changes in provide your child with a musical educa-
the brain images of children who underwent 15 tion should be to help them become more
months of weekly music instruction and practice. musical, to appreciate all aspects of mu-
The students in the study who received music sic, and to respect the process of learn-
instruction had improved sound discrimination ing an instrument or learning to sing,
and fine motor tasks, and brain imaging showed which is valuable on its own merit.
changes to the networks in the brain associated “There is a massive benefit from
with those abilities, according to the Dana Foun- being musical that we don’t under-
dation, a private philanthropic organization that stand, but it’s individual. Music is for
supports brain research. music’s sake,” Rasmussen says. “The
And it doesn’t end there: along with better per- benefit of music education for me
formance results on concentration-based tasks, is about being musical. It gives you
music training can help with basic memory recall. have a better understanding of your-
“Formal training in music is also associated with self. The horizons are higher when
other cognitive strengths such as verbal recall you are involved in music,” he adds.
proficiency,” Rasmussen says. “People who have “Your understanding of art and the
had formal musical training tend to be pretty world, and how you can think
good at remembering verbal information stored and express yourself, are en-
in memory.” hanced.”

Next weeks topic: Motivation issues, using awards to inspire daily practicing

E-60 The Bulletin 718.387.0123 • Ads@willbulletin.com September 1 '21